Travel down I-95 to McCoy Stadium. Coverage of the Pawtucket Red Sox from radio broadcasters Josh Maurer and Will Flemming.

Results tagged ‘ Alex Hassan ’

As the PawSox get ready to begin their four-game series at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre one day later than expected because of a “snow out” on Thursday night, I thought we would take a look at where some of the members of the 2014 Governors Cup championship team have moved to since the title was clinched last September.

There was a large amount of turnover at the upper levels of the Red Sox minor league system last off-season. Some of that can be attributed to the normal course of veteran Triple-A players looking for better opportunities with different organizations, but a lot of the turnover came in the form of trades made to provide immediate help to the big league club.

So without further ado – here’s a glimpse at the new surroundings for a good number of 2014 PawSox players. Let’s start with those who were either traded or claimed off of waivers by a different organization. These are listed in no particular order.

–Alex Hassan: Round Rock Express (Triple-A, Texas Rangers) (waviers)

Hassan had quite the eventful off-season. He was originally claimed off of waivers by Oakland on November 11, 2014. One month later the Orioles claimed him, but then the As claimed him back at the beginning of spring training. Finally it was the Rangers who claimed Hassan off of waivers at the end of March. He is still on their 40-man, but has played the season in Triple A (in 12 games Hassan is batting .233/0/7).

–Ryan Lavarnway: Baltimore Orioles (waviers)

Lavarnway had a similar off-season path to that of Hassan. He was claimed off waivers three times in December; first by the Dodgers, then by the Cubs and finally by the Orioles where he has found a home. He made the Baltimore opening-day roster as the back-up catcher and in four games played is 1-for-13.

Rivero was claimed by Seattle off waivers in November 2014. He was waived again a month later, cleared, and signed back with the Mariners on a minor league deal in December. In 14 games with Tacoma thus far he is is off to a hot start, batting .319/2/8.

–Dan Butler: Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals) (trade)

Butler was traded to Washington in January for LHP Danny Rosenbaum (who is currently on the PawSox DL). He had been designated for assignment one week earlier, so the Red Sox worked out a deal to get something in return for the popular catcher. While still on the Nationals 40-man, Butler is back in the IL currently playing with Syracuse (8 games played, .214/0/5). We should see him in Pawtucket next week.

–Drake Britton: Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs) (waviers)

Britton was claimed off waivers by the Cubs in February, then outrighted to Triple-A Iowa at the end of spring training. The lefty has appeared in four MiLB games so far and gone 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA.

–Rubby De La Rosa: Arizona Diamondbacks (trade)

Rubby was traded (with Allen Webster) back in November in the deal that brought the Red Sox Wade Miley. De La Rosa made the starting rotation for Arizona to begin the season, and in three starts has gone 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA (18 IP, 23 H, 13 R).

–Allen Webster: Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks) (trade)

Webster was also part of the November deal that brought the Red Sox Wade Miley (with De La Rosa). Unfortunately, Allen did not make the big league rotation coming out of spring training and then struggled through his first two starts at Triple-A (0-1, 7.0 IP, 17 H, 15 R). He was recently placed on the Reno disabled list.

–Anthony Ranaudo: Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers) (trade)

Ranaudo, the IL’s Pitcher of the Year last season, was traded to the Rangers in January for lefty reliever Robbie Ross. The big right-hander did not make the Texas season-opening starting rotation, but he has been called up to make one start for the big league team on April 14th against the Angels. Unfortunately he gave up six runs in 1.2 innings pitched and was optioned right back to Triple-A. With Round Rock he has only allowed one run in 10.0 innings over two starts.

–Alex Wilson: Detroit Tigers (trade)

Wilson was included in the Red Sox December deal with Detroit that netted Boston Rick Porcello. After starting the season in Triple-A Toledo, the righty has just been called up to Detroit. In four relief appearances with the Mud Hens, Wilson went 1-0 with three saves and did not allow a run in 5.1 innings pitched.

Now let’s look at some other key members of last season’s Governors Cup championship team who left the Red Sox organization as free agents. Again, no particular order here.

Corey Brown (right), Justin Henry (center) and Mike McCoy (left) have all moved on from Pawtucket this season

–Corey Brown: Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays)

Brown led the PawSox with 17 home runs last season. He signed as a free agent with the Rays this off-season and has been playing in the IL again with Durham. In eight games thus far Brown is 5-for-32 with one home run.

–Derrik Gibson: Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles)

Gibson played the final two months of the season last year as a super utilityman for the PawSox. He signed with the Orioles in the off-season and is playing in Double-A Bowie. Thus far in 13 games played, Gibson is batting .250/0/5.

–Mike McCoy: El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres)

McCoy was the veritable “swiss army knife” player for the PawSox last season, playing all over the diamond defensively and providing leadership in the clubhouse. He signed with the Padres in the off-season and is hitting .171 thus far in 11 games with Triple-A El Paso.

–John Ely: Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Milwaukee Brewers)

Ely was a valuable member of the PawSox bullpen in 2014. He signed as a free agent with Milwaukee in the off-season and has been pitching in Triple-A Colorado Springs as a starting pitcher. After making two starts and allowing eight runs in 7.2 innings pitched, Ely went on the disabled list.

–Ryan Verdugo: Nashville Sounds (Oakland As)

Verdugo helped the PawSox pitching staff as a long reliever and fill-in starter during the final two months of last season. He signed with Oakland in the off-season and has been pitching in a similar role with Triple-A Nashville thus far in 2015. In three outings (one start), Verdugo is 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA.

–Brandon Snyder: Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (Independent)

Snyder, a big power-hitting infielder, was injured and played only two months at the beginning of the 2014 season. He has caught on with Southern Maryland in the Atlantic League.

–Rich Hill: Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals)

The Massachusetts native Hill pitched the first three months of last season in the bullpen for the PawSox, then opted out of his contract for a big league deal with the Angels in July. He has bounced around since, but has landed in the Nationals organization to begin 2015 and is back in the IL pitching for Syracuse. He has only allowed one earned run in six innings over his first five appearances this season.

Finally, here are some 2014 PawSox players who are no longer active in the game at the beginning of this season.

–Justin Henry, Coach (Greenville Drive, Red Sox Single-A)

Henry was a popular member of the PawSox for the past two seasons. He has retired from playing and is now a coach in the Red Sox organization at Low-A Greenville. I am confident he will move up the ladder in the coaching ranks quickly.

–Ryan Roberts: not playing

Roberts was the regular second-baseman for the PawSox for most of last season. The Tatman was in spring training with the Royals but was released in late March. He does not appear to have caught on with another organization as yet.

–Jose Valdez: not playing

The veteran Valdez was on the mound for many key outs during the Governors Cup playoffs last season, including the final out in the 13th inning of Game 4 in Durham. From what I can tell, Valdez is not playing in 2015.

–Chris Hernandez: not playing

The southpaw Hernandez pitched for the PawSox in various roles for most of the last three seasons. He was released by the Red Sox at the end of spring training and does not appear to have caught on with any other organization as yet.

So there you have it. Pretty interesting to see where these guys have landed, no?

Will Flemming and I will talk to you from PNC Field in Moosic, PA tonight at 6:50 for pregame coverage. Henry Owens is on the mound for the PawSox with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm. Happy Friday!

After a fun visit to my homeland of St. Louis, it’s back to work at rainy McCoy Stadium. A vacation is always nice, but a vacation after broadcasting over 150 baseball games is the best kind. I love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else, but there’s no doubt that those who work in sports sacrifice friends, family, and a social life in order to live out their dreams.

I love going home to my parents and their two dogs. Buddy (left) and Lilly (right) are Australian Shepherds I could play with all day!

Tuesday night was Opening Day for the prospect driven Arizona Fall League. The following Red Sox minor league farmhands are in the AFL playing for the Surprise Saguaros:

Additionally, Portland Sea Dogs’ hitting coach Dave Joppie is serving as one of the team’s hitting instructors. In the first game of the season, Brentz finished 1-for-4 with a triple while Huntzinger was dealt the loss (2 runs, 4 hits, 2.0 IP). It was 84 degrees at first pitch.

Last year the PawSox very own Arnie Beyeler managed Scottsdale in the AFL where he worked with players such as Alex Hassan,Will Middlebrooks, Mike Trout, and Bryce Harper.

The PawSox have been a little beat up by injuries lately. Here’s an update on how some guys are doing:

Outfielder Ryan Kalish twisted his ankle sliding into second base against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and is in Pawtucket’s lineup (DH) Monday night for the first time since the injury on August 15. He was never placed on the disabled list.

Sunday afternoon against Buffalo, outfielder J.C. Linares was hit by a pitch that first struck his thumb, then his bicep. He is day-to-day and is out of the PawSox lineup Monday night.

First baseman Reynaldo Rodriguez was hit on the hand by a pitch on August 14 and hasn’t played since. He continues to be day-to-day but is not on the disabled list.

Knuckleballer Steven Wright was placed seven-day disabled list last week with shoulder soreness. He said today that things have improved and he’s feeling good.

Outfielder Alex Hassan recently had to go back on the disabled list as a result of the laceration on his left shin reopening. He said things are healing well but he needs to continue giving the injury rest so the cut won’t open up again.

There was a delay Wednesday night before the bottom of the the third inning began as Ryan Kalish walked from his position in centerfield to the PawSox dugout and was taken out of the game.

Kalish, a former Red Sox Rookie of the Year and Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year, has tremendous talent but missed much of 2011 due to injuries (left shoulder and neck).

Fortunately, manager Arnie Beyeler told Brendan McGair (@BWMcGair03) of the Pawtucket Times that Kalish simply twisted his ankle when sliding into second base and is day-to-day.

A short time before yesterday’s doubleheader against Scranton-Wilkes/Barre, the PawSox had the following roster moves:

Outfielder Alex Hassan has been placed on the seven-day disabled list (retroactive to August 14). Although we haven’t been told the exact injury for Hassan, he did recently spend some time on the DL as a result of fouling a pitch off his left shin. The injury required five stitches and forced him to miss from July 31 – August 4.

Thomas (left) is batting .251 over 51 games with the PawSox with seven home runs and 21 RBI. Hassan (right) is tied with teammate Mauro Gomez for the fourth-best on-base percentage in the league at .377. (Kelly O’Connor)

Infielder Tony Thomas has been activated from the disabled list with a calf strain. Thomas spent time on the shelf this season from June 27 – July 31 with finger and wrist injuries, but days later was DL’d again with calf injury. In his first at-bat since being activated yesterday, Thomas connected on a hard-hit single and finished 1-for-2 in a rain-shortened 5-2 win.

Tonight promises to be a special night at McCoy Stadium. At approximately 6:00, team president Mike Tamburro and former PawSox and Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs will be inducted into the International League Hall of Fame.

In the meantime, the PawSox have two roster moves that affect tonight’s lineup:

Infielder Tony Thomas has been placed on the seven-day disabled list with a strained calf. Thomas had just been lifted from the DL – where he had spent over a month – after suffering wrist and finger injuries.

Outfielder Alex Hassan has been activated from the disabled list after suffering a laceration on his left shin that required five stitches. For Hassan, who bats sixth and plays left field, Saturday marks the first time he has played since his injury on July 26.

At around 6:00 Tuesday night while prepping for the broadcast in Rochester, my phone rang with the caller ID displaying “Arnie Beyeler.” Although I’m sure Arnie would’ve loved to chat about his day with me, when I get a call from the PawSox manager an hour before first pitch it can only mean one thing: roster moves.

First the not-so obvious:

First baseman Reynaldo Rodriguez has been called-up from Double-A Portland. The 26-year-old Columbian set a Sea Dogs’ franchise record for the most homers in a single month when he went deep ten times in May. At the time of his promotion, the former Yankees’ farmhand was tied for second in the Eastern League in doubles (27), tied for fourth in home runs (16), and tied for ninth in total bases (165).

Second baseman Tony Thomas has been activated from the disabled list after suffering a finger injury during batting practice. In 47 games with the PawSox, the former Florida State Seminole is hitting .240 with seven home runs and 21 runs batted in. Thomas has not played since June 26.

Thomas hit a season-high four home runs and five doubles in June when he played in 19 games for the PawSox. (Kelly O’Connor)

Right-handed reliever Will Inman was been activated from the disabled list (right forearm strain). In his first season in the Red Sox system, Inman has gone 5-for-5 in save situations and has allowed just 6-of-24 inherited runners to score. Inman has not pitched since July 17.

Catcher Carson Blair has been called-up from High-A Salem for the second time (although he’s yet to play in a game with the PawSox). In 36 games with Salem, Blair is batting .210 with one home run and 12 runs batted in.

Hard-throwing righty Chris Carpenter has ended his Major League rehab assignment and has been optioned to Pawtucket. Part of the Theo Epstein compensation prior to Spring Training, Carpenter had surgery before the season began to clean up a bone spur around his elbow. On Tuesday night, Carpenter hit 99 mph twice while picking up his second save.

Outfielder Alex Hassan has been placed on the disabled list (retroactive to July 28) after suffering a laceration when fouling a pitch off his left shin. The injury required five stitches and forced Hassan to leave the game.

Now the obvious:

Lars Anderson was traded late Tuesday afternoon to Cleveland for 27-year-old knuckleballer, Steven Wright. Hear Lars’ reaction to the trade by clicking here.

Scott Podsednik was traded with Red Sox reliever Matt Albers to Arizona for Diamondbacks’ lefty, Craig Breslow. The Yale product, and New Haven, Ct. native, pitched for the PawSox in 2006 and ’07, and with Boston in ’06.

Diamondbacks’ manager Kirk Gibson said Tuesday that they have until Thursday to decide if Podsednik will be assigned to Triple-A Reno or the Big League team. (Kelly O’Connor)

Ryan Kalish and Clayton Mortensen have both been recalled by Boston. Kalish fills the void of Ryan Sweeney who is reportedly out two months after punching a door. Meanwhile, Mortensen pitched on a rain-shortened Tuesday night in the Red Sox six-inning win over Detroit and picked up his first win in a Boston uniform.

Get all that?

After a 5:00 arrival this morning in Allentown, Pa. where tonight the PawSox start a quick two-game series against the IronPigs, I’m off to a late lunch before going to the ballpark. I’ll talk to you tonight at 6:50.

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